06 Jun Top Tips and Musings of a Wedding Photographer

Ella Parkinson is one of our trusted wedding photographers at Drakestone House.

When she’s not watching Love Actually, Bridget Jones or anything in the ‘Romantic Comedy’ genre, you will find her practicing yoga, drinking an unhealthy amount of tea or walking her 3 dogs.

We grabbed a quick chat to discuss what she loves about being a Wedding Photographer and got some top tips for our clients along the way!

What is your favourite part of photographing a wedding?

It’s so hard to choose my favourite, I think it has to be the moments, when the bride walks down the aisle, the best man usually tells the groom when he can look back and see his beautiful bride walking towards him.

I’m usually positioned behind groom, so when he turns back to me, I just love to watch and capture his face, more often than not, he has to look to the ceiling to stop his tears from rolling and this always gets me! I love it when they cry hehe! It just reminds you how special this moment is and it’s just such an honour to capture! I’m a sucker for anything romantic!

Favourite style shots?

My favourite style shots have to be the couple portraits! I just love this bit of the day when I can take them away for a little wonder and capture some cuddles and lovely moments. I shoot really bright and a little whimsical, so I love to experiment with light and create images that show all their love!

How did you get into wedding photography?

I studied Photography at A-Level, with the intention of becoming an animal behaviourist. My mum kindly paid for me to have some private photography lessons the summer before I started at college and I just absolutely fell in-love.

I completed my photography degree in 2015, photographing my first three weddings during the final year and realised this is what I wanted to do! Fast forward four years and I just feel so lucky every single day, I really do think I have a wonderful job!

What advice would you give to couples looking for a photographer?

The most important thing is to find a photographer you feel really comfortable with that has a huge passion for their job. Couples spend a lot of time with their photographer on their special day so it’s so important they feel relaxed with them. I LOVE to meet with my brides and grooms before the big day and hear about all the wonderful plans! 😄

Best moment you have had as a wedding photographer?

Best moment…ahh that’s so hard. I think it’s going to have to be the moment when a 2017 groom sang to his new wife during his groom speech, there really wasn’t a dry eye in the room. He wasn’t a singer, but he wrote the most amazing song for her!

Top tip for helping their day run smoothly?

Organisation is key, make sure all suppliers know timings and locations. Enjoy every single moment!